Sinner and Alcaraz to Face Off in Italian Open Final

ROME (AP) — Jannik Sinner has reached the final of the Italian Open in his first tournament since returning from a three-month doping ban. Sinner, the top seed, will face off against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who is ranked third in the world, in the title match on Sunday.

Sinner advanced by defeating 12th-seeded Tommy Paul of the United States 1-6, 6-0, 6-3 in the semifinals on Friday. The Italian is aiming to become the first man from Italy to win the Rome trophy since Adriano Panatta in 1976. Earlier in the day, Alcaraz defeated Lorenzo Musetti, a local favorite, with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (4).

Sunday’s final will be the first meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz since October 2024, when Alcaraz beat Sinner in the China Open final. Alcaraz leads their career matches 6-4 and has won the last three encounters. However, Sinner is on a 26-match winning streak since that defeat.

“His level is really high right now,” Alcaraz said about Sinner. “Every time we play, it’s always a battle.” Sinner mentioned that he is excited to see how he performs in front of his home crowd. “I’m curious to see what level I’m at,” he said.

Sinner’s journey to the final included a quarterfinal victory over Casper Ruud, where he played exceptionally well to secure his place. He acknowledged some physical discomfort in his last match but insists he is not concerned heading into the final.

“There are no excuses,” Sinner stated. “With the adrenaline, there is going to be a lot of energy on Sunday.” Meanwhile, Alcaraz, who has bounced back from injuries this season, is eager to showcase his skills as the competition ramps up.

The Italian Open serves as a significant warm-up event ahead of the French Open starting on May 25. Alcaraz has had a successful clay-court season so far, winning the Monte Carlo Masters and finishing as a runner-up in the Barcelona Open.

In terms of support, Sinner enjoys a strong fan presence, with supporters donning his trademark orange color during matches. Fans held signs reading, “Sinner, we missed you,” showing their enthusiasm for his return.

As the players prepare for the final, the excitement builds for what promises to be a thrilling match between two of tennis’s brightest stars.